As Outbreak Peaks, More Worry About Flu Than Coronavirus: Poll

LOS ANGELES, CA — A wide share of Americans are more concerned about catching the flu than the new coronavirus, according to a new poll. They are also moderately confident in the ability of U.S. health officials to handle emerging viruses like coronavirus.

In California, there is reason for residents to worry about catching the flu as there have been 111 outbreaks statewide since the flu season began in the fall. Over the week ending Feb. 15, 53 people died from the flu in California, and thousands more have endured the aches and coughs of the influenza. As a result, the flu continues to be a bigger concern for many Californians than the coronavirus.

About 4 in 10 say they are moderately worried about catching the flu, according to the poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, compared with 2 in 10 who are concerned about catching coronavirus. Comparable shares of Americans — roughly 2 in 10 — say they are very worried about getting coronavirus and the flu.

The level of concern is appropriate, researchers say, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 29 million flu-related illnesses in the United States this year, according to the center’s report for the week ending Feb. 15. This is compared to only 15 confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Somewhat unexpectedly, Influenza B started out as the dominant strain affecting Californians, and it hit young people particularly hard — 12 children have died from the flu in California this flu season. Now, however, Influenza A is the dominant strain behind current outbreaks, and that is a concern because it is the strain more deadly for elderly patients who are more likely to die from the flu.

According to the latest data, flu activity is high in New York City, Puerto Rico and 44 states. In California, reported flu activity is currently elevated.